Despite AI’s potential to enhance employee output, many companies struggle to translate these improvements into meaningful organisational success, as they focus on visible tech demos rather than systemic change, according to a Hana Institute of Finance report.
Artificial intelligence is making individual employees faster, sharper and more productive, but many firms are still struggling to turn that personal gain into stronger corporate results, according to a recent Hana Institute of Finance report. The institute described this gap as an “AI productivity paradox”, arguing that enthusiasm for the technology has often outpaced the hard work of reshaping how businesses actually operate.
The problem, the report says, is not that AI lacks promise. In areas such as software development, legal work and marketing, it is already helping workers produce better output in less time. PwC has gone further, estimating that AI could lift global GDP by as much as 15% by 2035, a figure that underlines why companies and investors are treating the technology as a strategic priority.
But the Hana analysis says many organisations are still approaching AI as a visible add-on rather than a structural change. Executives often focus on quick demonstrations of success that are easy to present to shareholders, while leaving workflows, decision-making systems and operating models largely intact. That leaves AI tools poorly matched to day-to-day work and limits how widely employees adopt them. The report also warns that weak oversight can encourage “Shadow AI”, as staff turn to unauthorised external tools without company approval.
Even when AI does improve efficiency, the benefits may not show up in company accounts if the time saved is not redirected into higher-value work. Hana argues that unlocking the next stage of AI value will require more than software purchases: firms will need to redesign processes, strengthen infrastructure, reorganise teams, upgrade skills and secure active leadership from the top. In the institute’s view, AI should be treated not as a one-off technology project but as a long-term overhaul of how a business functions.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on May 3, 2026, and references a report by the Hana Institute of Finance. A similar report by PwC, dated November 12, 2025, discusses AI’s impact on productivity and organizational performance. ([pwc.com](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2025/pwc-2025-global-workforce-survey.html?utm_source=openai)) The Korea Times article does not appear to be a republished or recycled piece.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from the Hana Institute of Finance report. However, these quotes are not independently verifiable online, as the report itself is not publicly accessible. This lack of verifiability raises concerns about the authenticity and accuracy of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The Korea Times is a reputable South Korean newspaper. However, the article relies on a report from the Hana Institute of Finance, which does not have a significant online presence or independent verification. This lack of source transparency and verification diminishes the overall reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article discusses the ‘AI productivity paradox,’ a concept that aligns with existing literature on AI’s impact on productivity. However, the specific findings and claims made in the Hana Institute of Finance report cannot be independently verified, raising questions about their accuracy.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information from a report by the Hana Institute of Finance, which cannot be independently verified due to its lack of public availability and the institute’s limited online presence. This lack of verifiability raises significant concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.

